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ADDRESS 

or THK 



GENERAL COMMITTEE 

OF CORRESPONDENCE, 

.PPOINTED AT A GENERAL MEETING OF THE aEPOBLICAN MEMBERS Of 
THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA,] 

TO 

THE DE3I0CRATIC CITIZENS 

or TUB 

STATE or PENNSYLVANU, 

ON THB SUBJECT 07 THE 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 

1812. 



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THE following <\] dress of the General Committee of Coi . 
respondence n Pennsylvaniaj on the subject ol the Presidential 
election, is submitted to the consideration of the' people of Ma- 
ryland It contains an impartial view of' the pretensions of t"ne 
two candidates nominated for that exalted station. 

Upon an attentive perusal of the address, it is believed that 
nine-tenths of the republicans throughout the Union will nof 
hesitate to decide in favor of Mr. Madison, our present worthy 
chiet magistra.e. His pre-eminent talents, unblemished jn- 
a rarity, inflexible virtue and patriotism ; his great experience 
an(! ;.rduous services in the cause of his country, eminently d'ls- 
tingulsh him as a fit character to direct the energies of the na- 
tion at this important crisis. For more than thirty years lie 
time and talents have been devoted to the services of his country ; 
»ud in the various and honorable stations which he has filled, his 
conduct has received the approbation of his fellow citizens. Can 
a more certain pledge for an able and faithful discharge of the 
hgU trust to be reposed in him, be required by any rational he- 



Uig? 



ihe election of Mr. TNIadison will be supported by the suffra- 
ges of those who glory in the Declaration of Independence, — hy 
those who have uniformly supported the neutral, commercial 
and agricultural rights of the people of the United States, — by 
the friends of the constitution and republican principles, — and 
b\ those who are determined, at the hazard of their lives and 
fortunes, to transmit unimjraired to posterity, the Independence 
which has been acquired by the blood and treasure of their aiv 
cestors. 

Maryland, \6th October, 1812. 



TO THE 

DEMOCRATIC CITIZENS 

OF THE 

STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

FELLOW CITIZENS, 

AT a full and general meeting of the republican nnembers of 
the legislature of Pennsylvania, relative to the Prciidential elec- 
tion, held at Lancaster, March 7, 1812, the subscribers were ap- 
pointed as a general committee to correspond with the other com- 
mittees appointed throughout the state, to address the electors, and 
fill any vacancy which might take place on the electoral ticket 
agreed upon and recommended at the above meeting. In pursu- 
ance of the duties, thus honorably imposed upon us, and not from 
presumption or forwardness, we now address you. The confidence, 
founded on experience, which we have in your integrity of princi- 
ple, attachment to republicanism, and devotion to the best interests 
of your country, have heretofore determined us to remain silent ; 
nor do we know whether we should even now have addressed youj 
but for the extraordinary efforts which are making, and the unpre- 
cedented conduct pursuing, to uproot your principles, to league 
you wiih federalism, and wean your affectionate esteem from the 
present chief magistrate of the Union. 1 o effect these objects, ad- 
dresses and circular letters, from a neighboring state, have been 
sent into every part of this state^ by every established course, and 
through every possible channel which industry and wealth could 
open. Not content with thus assailing the republican character, 
and thus endeavoring to divide the republican party of Pennsylvania, 
another and a still more unusual and exceptionable mode of elec- 
tioneering has been resorted to. Self-crea'ed committees com- 
posed principally of the officers of government of a neighboring 
stale, have travelled our state up and down, and traversed it in eve- 
ry direction to seduce cur citizens from the standard of principle, 
and induce them to rally round a candidate of whom thes- know lit- 
tle or nothing but the name, and whose only hope of success rests 
on a party which has not yet acquired even a denomination. Ihis 
union isone of those anomalous associations vviih which our coun- 
try has more than once been cursed, the dangers of which cannot 
better be described tlian in an extract of an addreos of the rep'ibli- 
can members of the legislature of Pennsylvaniaon the Pi-e>'.irii:nual 
eecfion in 180^. We could hardly have hoped that a case so 
strikingly in point could have been found on the file of precedent. 

•• While federalism preponderated in Pennsylvania, no overtures of union or re- 
conciliation were made; but, on the contrary, a system of expulsion of ev>ry man, 
who diitered from them in opinion from all ofl'iccs of profir or of ho:i ■!, \\ i . ■ ; u-n- 

ly avowed, and pvursucU with tuvemiitijis diligence. Foiled, however, at length 



4 

they Invite to union and harmony ! But, listen not to their sj-ren song of pretend- 
ed friendship and rei.oaC!iia;ion, designed onl) to lure you to destructicn ! \\ hile, 
traitor like, they s>eem to ofter ycu ihe hand of cordiality, they are watching an 
unguanled jtioment to stab you to the heart. To e\ince their insincerity. , you 
need only observe the ; rrcnts of abuse, vi ulence, calumny, and detraction, 
wlixb are incessai.tly issuing from the le.leral prims, aganist Mr. Jcflersou. [and 
Mr Madison,] frr m ever> iiuarter of the Union. 

"Citizens, beware of their anful wUts ! beware more especially, of pretended 
republicanb, men of th rd party principles ! Bew are ot the "Union of hotit^t men ! /" 

" it vou turn your e)i's to our sister state of New York, you there behold aii 
intriguing, ambitiou" individual fomenting division among the republicans, that he 
may rise into • ffice amidst the ruin of those principles he once j.rofessed. tlap« 
p\ \\ e'C it for I'c-rinsyivania, had she not characters of this description also, equal- 
1) restless, ain'oiticus, and dissatisfied, because they are not elevated to the high- 
est statioris in the goveriimeni ; to which their fellow -citizens have not thought 
them entiled, either on tiie ground of principle, patriotism or talents : but who, 
notwithstanding, are deunnmed to cUmb into oiiice,' in defiance of true republicans, 
by farming a coalition with federalists. Great e.xer lions were made by tlsese men 
previousl) to the last election ! great exertions are now making by men professing 
lepublicanism, near your government, to bring about this preposterous union, in 
order to accomplish their own elevation to oilice, and restore the ancient order of 
things. 

" Pamphlets, tending to this point, addressed to your representatives, are indus- 
triously, though covertly, circulated, containing sentiments and doctrines that go to 
sap the very foundation of republicanism, by bringing into disrepute representative 
government, and inducing a predilection for aristocratical and monarchical institu- 
tions ; and tending to excite suspicions and jealousies in the public mind, against 
the measures of the present and precedmg legislatures. Far be it from us fellow- 
citizens, to excite animosities and discoia among you. No: Let pe;ice and so- 
cial harmony mark the character of Pennsylvania. We ardently wish to incul- 
cate those sentiments, both by precept and example : but at the same time we de- 
voutly deprecate the monstrous connection of federalism, or aristocracy, with re- 
vubhcanism ; from the fullest conviction, that such a union would be a certain pre- 
lude to it, if not the actual prostration and total rum, of the republicanism of 
Pennsylvania. As well might heaven and earth come in contact ; a.s well might 
fire and water mingle, and the most discordant principles in nature be united, as 
feuerahsm and rt-publicanism. 

" 1 his third party scheme, tellow-citizcns, cannot, we presume, have escaped 
your obser\ ation. Scarcely a state in the union, scarcely a county in this state, in 
which this H)dra has not reared its horrid front: And, though hitherto it has 
been baffled, it is not yet destroyed. 

" This plan appears the dernier resort of the fedei-alists. They well know, that 
the reelection of Jelttrson [Madison] will be likely to place republicanism on so 
firm a busts, as not to be sapjied or shaken, for at least a century to come. Ever}- 
artihcc which human ngenuit) can invent; every scheme which deep-rooted en- 
m t) can sugges'. ; and every exertion which desjieration can jirompt, w ill be com- 
bined to prevent his re-election : But, we conhdently trust and believe, that we 
shall a^^ain triimiph over all their machinations by adheVing strictly to the charac- 
ters lecummtnded to you as electors. 

(Signed) "AARON LYLE, Cbairman. 

JAMES PEARSON, Secmanr 

The only candidates i jw nominated for the Presidency of the 
United Stales, ure Janu^ Madi.sun and De \\itt Clinton, livery 
tliinv; which in^enuiiy and talent, eypciience and legal informa- 
tion can adduce in support of Mr. Clinton, is to be found in an ad- 
dress '' to the people of the I nited States," from a " special com- 
mittee of the city of New York, acting under the authority of the 
Gencial Committee of Corre^'pondtnce of the state of New York." 
Thai wc may mccl the question fairly, we purpose briefly and 



candidly to examine this address. We know the importance of 
the subject, and we shall scrupulously adhere to facts. Neither so- 
phistry nor misrepresentation are necessary to subserve the cause 
of truth or promote the great interests of the republic. The elec- 
tion of a chief magistrate, always a momentous epoch, is now more 
than ever so, because now we are at war. The courage and resources 
of the nation should be called forth vigorously and promptly. It is 
only by waging a vigorous war that we can hope for an honorable 
and lasting peace. The man who now shall be chosen to preside 
over the destinies of the nation ought to be a long tried, well-prin- 
cipled, faithful public servant: one whose patriotism has been 
tested as gold in the furnace; and whose well-regulated and well- 
stored mind should be the nation's security against rashness or 
ambition; above all, he should be a citizen known to the whole 
Union, and confided in with a confidence which should never 
awaken suspicion. 

The first passage in the address which attracts our attention, is 
the declaration that "the state of New York has, by an open nomi- 
nation of a candidate for the Presidency, entered its formal protest 
against the practice of Congressional nominations " The address- 
ers appear to have been apprehensive that this declaration would 
either not be implicitly credited, or not have the consideration and 
weight which they were desirous it should have ; they therofore, 
very shortly afterwards repeat "we have said the state of New 
York has entered its protest against Congressional nominations.'* 
In other paragraphs of the address, it is affirmed that the state of 
New York has nominated De Witt Clinton for the Presidency. 

This committee have carefully and sedulously attended to every 
meeting and movement in the state of New York, and throughout 
the Union, in relation to the Presidential election, and they have 
no where seen a " formal protest against the practice of Congres- 
sional nominations" by the state of jVrw York: nor have they been 
able, by any diligence or research, to find that the state of Xeto 
York has nominated De Witt Clinton for the Presidency. The 
last act of the stale of New York respecting " Congressional nomi- 
nations" for the Presidency, was so far from " a formal protest 
against the practice," that it was a decided approbation of them, 
by giving a large majority of her votes in 1808, the last Presiden- 
tial election, for the candidates that had been previously selected 
by a " Congressional nomination." " The nomination of Ue Witt 
Clinton for the Presidency, by the state of New York," is no 
where to be found. The state of New York has had no convention, 
to ascertain her opinions ; therefore, she neither has, nor can 
have, made any nomination. Whether she will, or will not, sanc- 
tion the nomination made " at a meeting of the republican mem- 
bers of the senate and assembly of the state of New York," we 
presume not to determine. It is not without regret that we have 
felt ourselves bound thus positively, and upon the best evidence, 
to rebut the truth of the allegations made by the New York com- 
mittee. That *' the state of New York has entered its formal pro- 
test against the practice of Congressional nominations " and that 
tlie state of New York has nominated Mr. De Witt Clinton for the 



6 

Presidency, are the main presumptions upon which the New York 
coininit t.e have prcdita^eci their hopes ol si;ccts;, and claimed the 
pu'Mi' vote '• in siipjoit of the nomination of the Hon. De W itt 
C 11. • •' for the Prtsidency of the United Stales at the ensning; 
elcc io:i." We huvc, we trust, satisfactorily shewn that those 
presumptions have no foundation in fact, and if we liave not 
shaken the superstructure to its centre, we have ceriainly so 
shaken it as to make us cautious how we take the assumptions of 
the commiitee for historical facts, and to induce the committee 
themselves to forgive us, if we " learn wisdom in the school of ex- 
perience, and distrust those who" make assertions that " shrink 
from investii^alion " 

No inconsiderable portion of the New York address is taken up 
in v>arning the people of the United Stales to be on their guard 
against nominations made l)y members of Congress, for fear they 
should be acting under " corrupt influence," or even under the 
influence of" a foreign power." It is true, the addressers declare 
that *• as yet, nvr- hofie no foreign power has attempted to influence 
the elections of our chief mairislraie ;" thus, most uncharitably 
insinuHting that which, iliunk heaven 1 can obtain no credence in 
the country, at least not among republicans. It is matter of pride 
and exultati:.n to every honest American, that whatever suspicion 
niuy have been entertained as to individuals there is no shadow of 
evidence to induce a belief that Congress has ever acted under 
corrupt or foreit:n influence. The whole object of the attack 
upon '' Congressional nominations" is to lessen in public estima- 
tion the citizens whom they have nominated. It is a strange ex- 
pectation to hope to win tiie suffrages of republicans by insinuat- 
ing» and that such is their want of integrity or discernment that 
the men whom hev elect, by their voluntary suffrage, are so wick- 
ed and unjn-iucipi'jd as to abandon their duty to their constituents 
and from '* corrupt influence" to lay it prostrate at the foot-slool of 
« u foreign power." it is ungrateful to our feelings to call to 
your recollection facts which are not honorable to our country, 
and nothing but ihc necessity of the case could justify or induce 
us If we say aught which shall wound the pride or humble in 
the dust the vauntings of the committee of New York, they must 
acknowledge, and the public will do us the justice to recollect, wc 
are not the assailing, we are only the defending, party. The 
committee of New York having, without " the fear of criticism or 
ccn-,ure," attacked, and most unsparingly reprehended the repub- 
lican members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States, btjtause ibey have nominated i\Ir. Madison, as a 
candidate for the Presidency, it will not be considered irregular or 
foieii;n lo the discharge of our duty if we state a few authentic facts 
relative to the republican members of tl.e Senate and House of 
Representatives of the state of New York, who nominated Mr. 
Clinton for ilic same office. If Mr. Madison is to bear all the 
sins and suspicio.is laid at the door of those who nominated him, 
can it be ret^ard A as cither ungenerous or unjust, that Mr. Clin- 
ton should be loaded with a portion of the crimes and corruption 
charged by high authority against those who nominated him ? 



Mr. Clinton was nominated a candidate for the Presidency, by 
the republican members of the legislature of New York on the 
28th INIav, 1812 'I hut le^-is*iuure had been adjourned from ihe 
27lh March to the 2 1st May by Governor Tompkins, because, as 
he declared in his niessaa;e, " It ai)pear3 by the Journals of the 
assembly, that attempts have been vnidc to comifit by nniBFS, four 
mcml)ers of that body, to vote for the passage of tlie bill to incor- 
porate the aforesaid Bank [of America;] and it also appears, by 
tlie Journals of the Senate, that an improper attempt has been 
made to influence one of the Senators to vote for the bill." At a 
metiinfi^ of the republican members held at Albany the same day 
on which Governor Tompkins prorogued the assembly, it was 
resolved that for that act he " -merits our warmest thanks and the 
gratitude of his country." This meeting further declared, that 
the stock of the American Bank, §6,000.000, was "owned prin- 
cipally by foreigners,'" and that '' representations undku oath 
have been made of corruftt attempts to seduce several members of 
the legislature." These declarations and resolutions were unani- 
mously concurred in by 59 members ; other republican members 
thought, the Governor had acted "■ hastily and unadvisedly." Our 
fellow-citizens will bear in mind that the Bank of America was 
afterwards incorporated by the New York legislature. We have 
thus as evidence, the oflicial message of Governor Tompkins, the 
Journals of both houses, and the opinion of a very respectable num- 
ber ot members, to prove that corrupt attempts were made to bribe and 
seduce several members of the J\itw York legisliitrirs, and that those 
bribes came out of a fund oivned principally by foi doners ^ and those 
foreigners now alien enemies : — Yet this was the legislature, so 
charged and so suspected, that nominated Mr. De Witt Clinton, 
and it is a committee emanating from the same source, which 
cries aloud *'to the people of the United States" to take care that 
their Presidents are not nominated by '' corrupt influence," and 
which with, real or affected, charity expresses a hope that " no 
foreign power has attempted to iniluence the elections of oup 
chief magistrate." We forbear all comment and submit the facta 
to the sober judgments of our fellow-citizens, not doubting but 
they will duly apj)reciute the labors of the New York Committee, 
and the merits, claims and cjualificalions of their candidate. 

The New York Committee having disposed of the Congressional 
nomination, which they appear to ha\e regarded as the strongest 
bulwark around Mr. Madison, they proceed to inform the people 
vihy the next President of the United States sliould be taken frona 
the state of New Y'oik. Before Me enumerate the pretensions of 
the state of New Y'ork as arrayed by its Committee we wish to 
be distinctly understood to protest, in the name of the republicans 
of Pennsylvania, against any party or any candidate that attempts 
to sow the seeds of jealousy and distrust among members of the 
same community, among sister rates, who have a common interest 
and ought to be united by a common bond of affection : On behalf 
of the republicans of Pennsylvania, and we know we deliver their 
sentiments, we protest against any arrogance of one state over 
another, or " urging pretensions and claiming superiority" becaus<? 



8 

she is larj^er or more populous: and lastly, for the republicans 
of Pennsylvania, we solemnly prolesl against any claims, to the 
Presidency, or to any public staiion, except those which are 
founded on capability, public services, republican principles and 
attachnneni to the Union. The following are the claims put in by 
the Committee, on behalf of the siaie nf New York, to shew " the 
propriety of its giving the next President to the Union 1" 

I. Because " now, for the first time," New York has " put for- 

ward its claim." 
This claim would be equally just, and conclusive as it respects 
Pennsylvania or any other state in the Union. This is " the first 
time" that any state has " put forward its claim" to have one of its 
citizens made President of the United States. 

II. Because the stale of New York is not the state of Virginia. 

" Virginia inlluence is a bye word" we admit, but it is only " in 
the Eastern btates" among those who make a " bye word" of 
French influence, and who would make a " bye word" of any body, 
or any thing, that would promise to raise them to power. They 
would even miike a "bye word" of Mr. De Witt Clinton. 

III. Bec-.nise '' the resources and population of New York, place it 
in the first rank." 

At the late Presidential election. New York ranked r.'i(h Massa- 
chusetts, and fl//(»- Virginia and Pennsylvania; and no one can 
charge New York with any delay in "putting forward its claim" 
when she asks to have the first officer in the Union, so soon as the 
marshal's return gives her a greater number of votes than any one 
of her sister states. 

IV. Because its local situation makes it " one of the fit depositaries 
of power until the distrust and jealousies between the North- 
ern and Southern states shall have subsided.'' 

If New Yoik hopes to be the depositary ot power until the jea- 
lousy of eastern federalists against southern and western republi- 
cans "shall have subsided," she ht)pes for what we trust no state 
will ever enjoy — a perpetuity of power. 

V. Because she " is a middle stale." 

New York is not so much "a middle stale" as Virginia, against 
which the addressers rail as a sou'Jitrn slate, whose influence has 
become " a bye word in the eastern states.*^ 

VI. Because " she is eminently commercial, and most extensively- 
agricultural." 

These claims arc not sound : her commerce is founded on Bri- 
tish and banking capital. She has not the American, solid specie 
cajiitiil of Pennsylvania, nor is her agriculture more extensive. 

VII. Because "she would be likely to hold the balance even." 
This committee cannot discover upon what the addressers pre- 
sume, wliich can justify an opmionthat New York is more "likely 
to hold the balance even" than any other ol her sister states. 

VIII. Because it would "conciliate the interests and good wishes 
of all." 

If the New York Committee could only establish this assertion, 
could only /irovc it to be true, their labors would be at an end, for 



certain it is that the people of the United States will elect the man 
most likely to conciliate their interests and fulfil their wishes. 

IX. Because she is a " frontier state." 

Virginia has cetainly a much greater extent of "frontier" sea 
board than New York, and as certainly would have had a much more 
extensive inland ^' frontier,'' but that, let it be recorded and re- 
peated to the honor of Virginia, she voluntarily ceded to the gene- 
ral government the territory now composing the patriotic states of 
Kentucky and Ohio, and the Indiana and Illinois territories. She 
set the glorious example of abridging her own power and rank for 
the general weal. Had not Virginia thus ceded her territory, her 
" resources and population" would have placed her far beyond New 
York, and in the "first rank." It is ungracious to wish to degrade 
a state purely for her patriotism, and it is to be regretted that a re- 
spectable committee, of any state, should wish to take advantage 
of such circumstance, "to put forward its claim," even at the ex- 
pense of the harmony and integrity of the party of which they 
profess to be members. It cannot be a good cause that requires 
thus to be advocated. 

X. Because it would be " somewhat of personal gratification" to 
the gentlemen on the committee. 

The voting for a President of the United States is discharging 
too high a duty, and involves too many public considerations, to 
be done purely to " gratify" any individual or committee. 

For the reasons, which we have faithfully detailed and briefly 
answered, the New York Committee think the next President 
should be from New York ; and New York, they say, wishes Mr, 
De Witt Clinton. They conclude their appeal by saying, "Grati- 
fy us in his election." 

If, fellow citizens, these reasons, and the desire personally to 
gratify the New York Committee, shall be so cogent as to overturn 
all your former opinions, bear away all your former attachments, 
and make you forgetful of the eminent services, superior talents, 
and devoted patriotism of yor present excellent chief magistrate, 
then will you give your votes to the electorial ticket, yet to be 
formed, in favor of De Witt Clinton. But if, as we believe, you 
regard the reasons given as of little weight, and feel no disposition 
to bestow "somewhat of personal gratification," at the expense of 
your country, we are confident you will one and all vote for the re- 
publican electoral ticket, unanimously recommended by the re- 
publican members of the Pennsylvania legislature, and secure its 
election by a triumphant majority. Remember the ever worthy 
to-be-remembered election of 1808. 

Of all the reasons, however given and relied upon in the address 
why Mr. Madison should not be elected, none is labored with so 
much earnestness and ingenuity, none is considered as of so dis- 
qualifying a kind as that he has been recommended by the repub- 
lican members of Congress : nor is any point more strongly urged 
in favor of Mr. Clinton than his being recommended by the state 
of New York. The New York Committee appear not to have 
known or to have forgotten, or if not forgotten, have carefully kept 
out of sight, that Mr. Madison has been any where nominated ex* 



10 

C5pt by the members of Cong:ress. It will not be a few minutes 
misspent, fairly to state the nominations and evidences of public 
opinion in favor of both these genllemen for the high office for 
which they are candidates. This we are the more desirous to do 
as the Xew York address highly approves of '' Nominations l)y 
individual States." "'-ho" it asks, "should nominate?" and 
promptly answers '• some among the states." Upon this, their own 
principle and mode of nominating, we are willing to meet the New 
York Committee. 

DE WITT CLINTON has been nominated by the republican 
members of the Lrgisiaiure of the State of .\'e%r 
Yorkf which state has twenty-nine VO I'ES. 
He has also been nominated at a private meet* 
ing in Lancaster, of nearly twenty persons; 
among whom, we include the New York travel- 
ling Committee that were i)resent. He has al- 
so been nominated by a public meeting in York 
county. Bot!) those meetings were composed 
of men eit ler avowe'i federalists or non-de- 
scripts, and aliens to the great republican party 
of i'ennsylvania. We had nearly forgotten to 
mention that at a public meeting in Boston, Mr. 
Harrison Gray Otis^ the particular friend of Mr. 
Thrtothy Pickering, announced Mr. Clinton as a 
candidate for the Presidency. 
JAMES MADISON i^as been nominated by the republican mem- 
bers of the Lf- Gi';i.ATiiRE 
Of the Univkd bTATT??. 
Of the state of Pennsylvania. 
Of the stale of Virginia. 
Of the state of Massachusftts. 
Of the state of Ntw Hampshire. 
Of ti.e state of Kentucky. 
Of the state of Ohio. 
Of the state of Nkw Jersey ; and 
Of the state of >L^kyland. 
AN hich states have one hundred and nineteer. 
VOTES 

These states include some which are called 
Southern, some Eastern, some Middle, some 
Frontier, some of the first Rank and must of 
them sound, healtliful, republican states. 
DE WITT CLIN lON's elec'.ion is advocated by most of the Fe- 
deral newspapers in the Union, but by scarcely 
any Rtfublican newspaper out of the state of 
New York. 
JAMES MADISON'S election is advocated by no Federal news- 
paper, but it in advocated by almost every /?f- 
fniblicav newspaper out of the state of New York, 
and several in it. 
DE WITT CLINTON'S health and success as a candidate for the 
Presidency has never been drank even as a vo- 



11 

luntcer toast, at any public dinner, no not even 
in llie state of New York, in the overflowings ot 
the heart upon great and joyful occasions. 
•TAMES MADISON'S health and re election was among the regu- 
lar toasts, and was drank witli acclamations all 
over the Union on the birth day of our National 
Independence. 
These, fellow citizens, are powerful, and are not to be mistaken 
indications of public sentiment all over the Union, and liave pro- 
ceeded from various and dissimilar, but all associations of repub- 
lican citizens. It would be a waste of words and time to use any 
in shewing how infinitely superior are the recommendations of 
INIr. Madison, and how much stronger the evidence of public 
opinion in his favor than any which either has been, or can be ad- 
duced in favor of Mr. Clinton. Upon the ground of nomination, 
Mr. Clinton is as fairly and completely distanced as the most 
anxious friend of Mr. Madison could desire. 

There is an apparent invidiousness in comparing the public ser- 
vices, claims and qualifications of candidates, which this commit- 
tee would willingly have avoided, but the address of the New York 
committee forces it upon us by the manner, any thing but modest, 
in which Mr. Clinton is characterized. 

DE WITT CLINTON has been a member of the legislature of 

Aew York. 

For a short season a Senator of 
the United States. 
And is now lieutenant governor of the 
stale of JVeiu York. 
A major general of the militia 
of .Yew York, 

And mayor of the city of A'ev) 
York, 
Mr. Clinton may have filled all those situations with ability, and 
thus been a useful citizen of New York ; but his usefulness has 
deen confined to that state. He was so short a time upon the na- 
tional floor, that the nation know him not ; the nation have not 
tried, proved and found him honest and capable. If the citizens 
of New York have so found him, who can wonder at their zeal to 
promote him to a more exalted station ? But if the citizens of New- 
York are praiseworthy because grateful for services rendered, 
shall the nation be suspected of being less sensible, les? grateful, 
and of entertaining a disposition to cast olT an old, a faithful, hon- 
est and capable servant, only to take one upon trust, and to afford 
" somewhat of personal gratification" to the committee who re- 
commend him. The very expectation is a libel upon the Union. 
It is one which their votes will put to shame, and which their zeal 
in favor of Mr. Madison will prove unfounded. 

The New York Committee themselves confess that they felt 
" much restraint and embarrassment," anticipated " harsh ani- 
madversions," were fearful of being considered "as innovators," of 
being " stigmatized as presumptuous," of their conduct being « im- 
puted to unworthy motives," and of being " opposed with bitter- 



12 

ness bv many," in ronserpienrc of their rccomTnendation of Mr. 
De Witt *■ linion. Its'ic!) wcrr the apprehensions of the gentlemen 
who assure us •• of the sufurior worth anc' qnalific:itions of their 
candidate," and whose zeal in his l)eha1f was slimnlated hy the hope 
of'' somL'what of personal gratifcalion," how can it have been 
possible tiat they could hope to interest the fetlin::!:s and win the 
good opinions and votes of niillions who never heard of Mr. Clinton 
until they are clamorously called upon to raise him to the chief 
mac';istracv of the Union. 

JAMES MADISON has been a member of tlie legislature 

Of Vii-^iinas of the Old Congress, 
Of the Convention which framed the consti- 
tution of the United Sfatfa^ 
Of the (. onvention of Virginia which ratified 

that constitution, 
And of Corr^r.'ns lor several sessions, and 
Secretary of State of the Uniteil States^ 
And is now President of the United States. 
No man of character, who respects himself, whatever be his 
party, prejudices or prepossessions, will have the hardihood Jo af- 
firm but what in all those stations, Mr. Madison has conducted 
himself with integrity, patriotism, and the most distinguished al)i- 
lity. His speeches on the floor of Congress were equally admired 
for the correctness of their principles, and the chastity of their 
style. His correspondence, while Secretary of State, and his in- 
structions to our foreign ministers, particularly upon the subject of 
the impressment of our seamen, are among the ablest state papers, 
and the best defence of neutral rights, which modern times have 
produced. The firm, impartial and dignified course of his ad- 
ministration has commanded respect and admiration where it has 
failed to secure esteem, or enforce justice. The messages of the 
President of the United states are illustrations of the genuine prin- 
ciples of representative democracy, and evince their author to be 
a great constitutional lawyer, a profound public jurist, well read in 
the law of nations, intimately accjiainted with the riglus and wrongs 
of his covmtry, able to defend the one and avenge the other ; in a 
word, Mr. Madison is the author of the super.eminently excellent 
exposition of the unjust and intolerable conduct of Great Britain 
towards the United States, which was presented to Congress on the 
first of June, and which greatly contributed to deteniiine that body- 
to appeal to arms, and " commit a just cause into the hands of the 
Almighty Disposer of events,'' as the only untried means to main- 
tain the rights, the honorand independence of liie country. This 
comniittet have pleasure in concurrmg with the New York com- 
mittee in the declaration that "Mr. Madison h.«s passed through a 
life of honor and public services." His piinciples are known, his 
course of politics certain. His "life" and oRicial con<lucl are his 
pledges. In voting for him we know fin whouK and for what we 
are voting. We put nothing to hazard ; for him, therefore, fellow- 
citizens, le: us vote. 

The New York Committee urge no personal objections against 
the President of the United States, save only his having been born 



13 

in Virginia. Had he the fortune to have been born in Great Bri- 
tain, tlie comniitlee coiiUl not have manifested more solicitude, ap« 
prehension and concern at the prospect ol his re-election. Tht ob- 
jections against Mr. Madison, as a candidate for ti\e Presidency, 
are stated, on public ground.-^ to be; — the non interception of the 
Jamaica fleet, which the committee say " escaped capture by some 
negligent delay at Washington ;" and the committee express 
doubts whether Commodore Hodgers knew any thing about the 
fleet, unless he "•accidently heard of it at sea." 

To this charge the Answer is furnished by Commodore Rodgers 
himself, who in his official despatch, declares that he had heard of 
the Jamaica fleet ^^ firrvt .us to his leaving New York on the 21st of 
June," on which day he was joined " by the United States, Congress, 
and Argus," and that his orders were under date of the 18lh of 
June, t/ip vtrv day on which the bill declaring war had passed the 
Senate, in which house it had been delayed, -^i^y tht advocutcf) of Mr, 
Clinton, so long as to permit the Jamaica fleet to escape capture. 

Again, the New York Committee complain that we have not an 
army " attacking the Floridas at the same time" that we have an 
army marching against Canada. 

This charge also lies against the advocates of Mr. Clinton, who 
contrived to have the bill which had passed the House of Representa- 
tives for "attacking the Floridas," net,atived in the Senate, thus 
compelling the President to withdraw the United States' troops 
which were in the 1 loridas, and prohibiting him from marching 
others against them. We shoull be giatified to believe that the 
New York Committee were unacquainted with these facts, but their 
opportunities forbid this conclusion, and compel us, however unwil- 
lingly, to consider the charges as "a measure of electioneering po- 
licy."' 

The "permission to carry on trade with Spain and Portugal," 
is vehemently urged by the New York Committee against the re- 
election of Mr. Madison, altliough the committee must have known 
that the "permission" did not originate with the President, but 
was a measure of Congress. It is passing strange to hear the ad- 
vocates of the "commercial interests of the Union" railing against 
the President, because Congress did not hermetically seal all the 
ports of the Union. Such reasoning may be "judged cunning," 
but it is certainly neither candid nor convincing 

We have thus, fellow citizens, submitted to your judgment the 
arguments and reasons given by the friends of Mr. Clinton, why he 
should be elected President of the United States ; and we liave re- 
plied to them as briefly as we could, and with a fairness which we 
think will not be questioned, even by those who differ from us in 
opinion. The unexpected and unavoidable length to which the ad- 
dress of the New York Committe has led us, prevents us from de- 
tailing many sound and cogent reasons in favor of the candidate 
whom your representatives, in the state legislature, and in Con- 
gress, agreed to support. 

The gentleman who is nominated by the democratic party as 
Vice-President, is Elbridge Cerry of Massachusetts, a citizen of 
distinguished talents, integrity, and republican principles, well 



u 



J<nown from his public services and qualifications. He was befoi'e 
the revolution a member of the legislature of Massachusetts. \t 
the daAvn of that momentous era he was elected one of the com- 
mittee of public safety and supply— he was a member of the old 
Congress, and voted for and signed the declaration of independence. 
He was a member of the convention that framed the constitution 
of the United States; has been minister to the French republic, 
and Governor of Massachusetts. The duties attached to all which 
stations he discharged with fidelity and advantage to his country. 

James Madison and FJhridge Gerry, as candidates for the Presi- 
dency and Vice- Presidency, are citizens so known, so respected, 
so esteemed, throughout the United States, that the mention of 
their names in any company from Maine to Georgia, and from the 
Atlantic to the Lakes, would call forth merited panegyric, and in- 
teresting recollections of important public events in which Ihey 
have borne distinguished parts. 

For such men Pennsylvania will vote, because such are the men 
•whom it delighteth her to honor. 

In conformity to usage, this Committee have taken the usual! 
means to ascertain that all the candidates placed upon the Pdecto- 
ral Ticket will vote for James Madison as President, and Elbridge 
Gerry as Vice-President, of the United States. From some of the 
Committees we have heard, and from bome we daily expect to hear. 
jMl the electors from whom we have heard, have cheerfully de-i 
dared their determination to vote for the above gentlemen for thel 
offices designated. We hope hereafter to give you the necessary 
assurances in the name of all the candidates for whom your suf 
iVages are solicited. 

With sentiments of respect and high consideration, we have th< 
lienor to subscribe ourselves, j 

Your FelloW'Citizens. | 

JACOB HOLGATE, 
JOHN BINNS, 
JOHN GEYER, 
JOHN PORTER. 

Co7nmittee-Room, 

Philadelfihia, Sefit. 16, 1812. 



PENNSYLVANIA ELECTORAL TICKET. 



Charles Thompson, 
Paiil Cox, 
Joseph Engle, 
James Fulton, 
John Whitehill, 
liugh Glasgow, 
Samuel Smith, 
Nathaniel .Viichler, 
James Mitchel, 
Clement Paine, 
Henry Alshouse, 
Abia Minor, 



Adamson Tannehill. 



David Mitchel, 
Isaac Worrell, 
Michael Baker, 
Isaiah Davis, 
Edward Crouch, 
David FuUerton, 
Robert Smith, 
Charles Shoemaker, 
John Murray, 
Arthur Moore, 
James StevensOHj 
David Meade, 



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